Portuguese traders looking for brokers will have a certain list of concerns that should be addressed. While they can use a long list of brokers, there are a few things that I looked for that can make them better for those from Portugal. We at FXEmpire have compiled a large database of brokers around the world and rated them based on a proprietary 250-point system.
I first looked for Portuguese-language websites and customer support. Also, I looked for those brokers that offer EUR as a base currency, helping ease deposits and withdrawals. Another point of contention was whether or not they have convenient payment methods for Portuguese clients. The regulation matters as well, and I looked for those that were regulated by top-tier regulators, in the EU and beyond. I also tested live conditions to make sure that the fees and spreads were reasonable as well.
*AvaTrade doesn’t allow CFD trading in Spain; only Futures are available.
Our team of experts has identified each broker’s strengths and weaknesses using FXEmpire’s comprehensive methodology.
Now, let’s explore the selected brokers.
AvaTrade has been a major player in the CFD markets since it opened in 2006. The Ireland-based broker offers a large number of assets for trading, including stocks, forex, ETFs, options, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and bonds. AvaTrade is heavily regulated by several of the biggest regulators, including CySEC, ASIC, and FSA Japan.
Regional Features:
AvaTrade allows trading of multiple asset classes like stocks, forex, indices, commodities, ETFs, crypto, bonds, and even access to vanilla options. There are several platforms available, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Ava Web Trader, Ava Trade Mobile, AvaSocial, and AvaOptions. There are over 1,250 assets for trading, and access to Trading Central is available as well.
There is also a Professional Account that allows increased leverage and spread betting, if it is available in your jurisdiction. There is also an Options Account, which is tailored for trading Forex options. The spreads were good, with the EUR/USD pair offering a spread of 0.9 pips, and oil was $0.03 during my evaluation. Dow Jones 30 spreads are between 5 and 6, with Tesla being 1.98 cents during the NY session trading.
IronFX has been in business since 2010 and offers multiple asset classes for trading, including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and futures. IronFX is regulated by several top-tier regulators around the world, such as CySEC, FCA, and FSCA.
Regional Features:
IronFX offers its own proprietary web-based platform, but where it shines is its MetaTrader 4 platform. The ability to trade using the MetaTrader 4 platform means more automation, Expert Advisors, and custom indicators. The ability to copy trade is also offered by the broker through the MT4 terminal. There is also Virtual Private Server hosting offered, allowing algorithmic traders a home as well.
IronFX offers over 500 instruments for trading, which also includes stocks in the European Union. There are several commodity markets that allow trading in EUR, which can simplify the process for those based in Portugal. There are spread and commission-based accounts, and they are available in multiple currencies, including the EUR.
IronFX generally has lower than industry norms for spreads. The EUR/USD pair fluctuated in my tests between 0.9 and 1.0 pips, while the WTI oil spread stood at $0.04. There are no fees involved with deposits, withdrawals, or inactivity.
XTB has been around since 2002, and offers trading in forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and even ETFs. XTB is heavily regulated around the world by several top-tier authorities, including FCA, CySEC, CNMV, KNF, and IFSC Belize. XTB is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, making it a publicly traded company and subject to regulated accounting practices.
Regional Features:
XTB’s proprietary platform, xStation 5, is very easy to operate and well-suited to beginners. The amount of tradable instruments allows trading of global assets and gives an easy way to diversify investments and trades. The broker also has a large amount of educational materials, including expert insights in written form, as well as videos.
The fees at XTB are tight, with the EUR/USD spreads being between 0.8 and 0.9 pips, and the GBP/JPY pair average 1.6 pips. There are no fees for deposits or withdrawals. The broker doesn’t even charge inactivity fees until after a year of no trades being placed.
The forex and CFD analysts and editors at FXEmpire bring together seasoned trading professionals and experienced financial journalists. Many of our experts have been featured in leading publications such as Investopedia and Forbes, and all of them combine strong industry credentials with hands-on trading experience.
Dan Blystone began his career in the trading industry in 1998 on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Later, Dan gained insight into the forex industry during his time as a Series 3 licensed futures and forex broker. He also traded at a couple of different prop trading firms in Chicago. Dan is well-equipped to recommend the best forex brokers due to his extensive experience and understanding of the brokerage industry.
Jitan Solanki is a professional trader, market analyst, and educator. He day trades major currency and index markets and focuses on swing trading US equities and commodities. A qualified Market Technician, Jitan also works with trader education and brokerage companies on various projects. These include market analysis, live trading events, and broker reviews. As an experienced trader and educator, Jitan brings all his qualities in action when reviewing and recommending brokers.
Having been a retail trader since 2013, Plamen has gained an in-depth understanding of the challenges that novice traders face today. His expertise is swing trading and day trading with a heavy emphasis on psychological and fundamental analysis. Plamen’s favourite trading instruments include FX majors and gold. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Relations. Plamen's broad experience has equipped him with the expertise to recommend the best forex brokers.
In more than 15 years of trading in the financial markets, Vladimir dealt with a wide range of brokers and financial instruments. His career as a day-trader at a proprietary trading firm goes back to 2007. Later, Vladimir turned to longer time frames and became an independent trader and analyst managing his own portfolio. Using his experience, he helps traders find the best broker in his reviews.
Christopher Lewis is an experienced trader and technical analyst specializing on currencies, indices, and commodities. He also has been working as a proprietary trader for institutional accounts. Chris has been an FXEmpire analyst since the site's early days and shares his trading insights on his own blog, The Trader Guy. His sharp, practical understanding of the trading industry means he knows forex and CFD brokers inside-out, so you can trust his guidance on how they work and which one to choose.
Aviva is a Senior Content Editor at FXEmpire. Her substantial contributions include refining over 150 broker reviews and 'Best Brokers Guides,' enhancing our proprietary methodology, and ensuring every fact is meticulously verified.
At FXEmpire, we strive to provide unbiased, thorough and accurate broker reviews by industry experts to help our users make smarter financial decisions.